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India’s National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has launched a formal inquiry into the tragic deaths of two workers who fell into an underground duct in Nigdi late on August 26, 2025. The incident marks the fifth fatality at the same location within a year, following three deaths in 2024. The Commission has issued notices under Article 338 of the Constitution to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner, the Police Commissioner, and the Assistant Commissioner of the Social Welfare Department, ordering a detailed fact‑finding report within 15 days.
The notice, signed by NCSC Director Dr. G. Sunil Kumar Babu, warns that non‑compliance could lead to the Commission exercising its civil court powers, compelling officials to appear in person or through a representative. The latest deaths have reignited scrutiny over safety protocols in underground chambers, especially after the 2024 incident that already led to a culpable homicide case.
The August 26 Incident
At approximately 11:45 p.m. on August 26, police received reports of two individuals falling into a duct near Lokmanya Hospital in Pradhikaran, Nigdi. The Pimpri‑Chinchwad Municipal Corporation fire brigade responded quickly. Rescue teams pulled both men out of the duct unconscious; one was extricated swiftly, while the second required more time. They were rushed to YCM Hospital, where doctors declared them dead on arrival.
The deceased were identified as Manoj Baburao Shinde, 26, and Amol Ashok Shinde, 19, both from Siddheshwar village in Hingoli district. Police have not yet determined why the men entered the duct or who assigned them the work. Senior Police Inspector Mahesh Bansode of Nigdi Police Station said the investigation is focusing on these questions, and BSNL employees – the duct is associated with BSNL – are being questioned.
Recurring Tragedy at the Same Site
The duct first made headlines on August 15, 2024, when three workers died after entering the same chamber. Police suspected suffocation and registered a case of culpable homicide at Nigdi Police Station. That case remains open. With the latest deaths, five workers have now lost their lives in the same narrow underground space within about a year.
The repeat tragedy has raised urgent questions about whether the municipal corporation and BSNL implemented adequate safety measures after the 2024 incident. “Confined space entry is one of the most hazardous operations in any infrastructure work,” said Dr. Ravi Kumar, a safety engineering consultant based in Mumbai. “Standard protocols require continuous air monitoring, a standby attendant, and a retrieval system. India’s labor laws also mandate these precautions, but enforcement remains weak.”
NCSC’s Powers and Next Steps
The NCSC notice instructs the three officials to furnish a comprehensive report, including the action taken so far, by post, in person, or via email. The Commission has the authority to summon defaulting officials under Article 338, which gives it the powers of a civil court. Failure to respond within the 15‑day deadline could result in further legal action, including an order to appear before the Commission.
The Commission’s intervention adds a layer of accountability beyond local police investigations. It also pressures the municipal corporation, police department, and social welfare authorities to address systemic failures in worker safety.
Police Investigation Underway
Police are still piecing together the circumstances of the latest incident. They are probing whether the two men were officially assigned by BSNL or a subcontractor, and whether any safety equipment – such as harnesses, gas detectors, or ventilation fans – was provided. The exact cause of death has not been determined, though preliminary reports suggest possible asphyxiation.
“We are also looking into who sent these workers into the duct and whether they were trained for confined space entry,” Inspector Bansode said. The police have not made any arrests yet.
Broader Implications for Worker Safety in India
The Nigdi duct deaths highlight a persistent problem in India’s infrastructure sector: the lack of enforcement of confined space safety regulations. Under the Factories Act and the Building and Other Construction Workers Act, employers are required to conduct risk
